Gyasi Zardes wins LA Galaxy Goal of the Year Competition

Zardes' goal against Vancouver is the fans' choice for Goal of the Year

January 1, 2014

LAGalaxy.com

Gyasi Zardes promised that his skills would “blow people’s minds” when he entered MLS in January after an excellent college career and the LA Galaxy Homegrown forward certainly delivered all that and more with his goal that took home the 2013 LA Galaxy Goal of the Year honors.

Zardes’ remarkable individual effort against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 20 was the runaway winner of the Galaxy’s Goal of the Year competition by garnering more than 20 percent of the fans' votes. During his rookie season, the forward’s mix of pace and technical ability wowed many, and his goal to seal a victory over the Whitecaps was the perfect blend of his skills. Coming in second place was Juninho’s curling free kick finish against Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 21 while Jose Villarreal’s stunning goal against Real Madrid in the Guinness International Champions Cup on Aug. 1 rounded out the top three.

The goal came just moments before the hour mark with the score tied at 1-1 when Todd Dunivant lofted a ball forward to an outstretched Zardes who kept the ball from floating out of possession. While towing the end line, the rookie was able to deftly lift the ball over Vancouver’s Brad Rusin, blowing past him in the process before launching a right-footed shot that bypassed a sliding Johnny Leveron and the out-stretched arms Whitecaps goalkeeper Brad Knighton to seal a 2-1 LA victory.

You can see Zardes’ winning effort above and vote on whether or not you think that the right decision was made.